[alt-photo] Re: Fwd: Epson printer 3880

[Marek Matusz]

Diana,
I assume you  print colorized negatives with magenta ink. If you are using QTR to print you can select the color that you want and the printer head. I have been printing using only photoblack and yellow on my 3800. These two will provide enough density for any digial process (definitely for pd/pt) and that is printing only at some fraction of the ink load.  There is a number of alt printers using that workflow.
Once you see how you are in control of the printer with QTR, not some third part vendor, you will never go back to just horrible epson/photoshop printer control (in terms of creating digital negativers).
SO maybe your printer is not quite at the end yet.
Marek
 
> From: dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net
> To: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org
> Date: Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:11:48 -0400
> Subject: [alt-photo] Re: Fwd: Epson printer 3880
> 
> Hi Kerik,
> 
> Thanks so much. And, yes- exactly the same thing-- clogging with the 
> magenta inks, and also some clogging with one of the blacks. I did 
> several cleanings, along with a "power cleaning," and it just never 
> got any better. One day it worked great, and the next day (when I 
> needed it the most, of course), it just stopped. I didn't really 
> check with anyone, but I assumed something needed replacement that 
> would cost more $$$ than it was worth. I did buy it when it first 
> came out, so it's been a great printer for all that time-- but, like 
> most printers and computers, seems to have a definite end-life (of 
> about 5 years).
> 
> So thanks again, Kerik-- very helpful information. It looks like B&H 
> has the 3880 for about $1100, so that's where I'm headed next 
> (online). :)
> 
> Diana
> 
> On Jun 14, 2011, at 11:55 AM, kerik at kerik.com wrote:
> 
> > Diana,
> >
> > First, I'm wondering what happened to your 3800. Mine had clogging 
> > problems with the magenta inks that couldn't be resolved without 
> > replacing the print head ($$$). I've heard similar magenta problems 
> > from other 3800 users. So, I replaced it with a 3880 in November. I 
> > am getting great digital negatives with the 3880 and QuadTone RIP. 
> > It's easy to get plenty of UV density without resorting to a highly 
> > colorized negative. As far as I can tell, the only difference 
> > between the 3800 and 3880 are the magenta inks. I don't know if the 
> > dithering has changed but the negatives print beautifully in 
> > platinum and gum and it makes great inkjet prints.
> >
> > One interesting thing I stumbled on while calibrating the 3880: If 
> > you use the front feed slot to load your transparency material to 
> > avoid pizza wheel marks, the UV density of the resulting negs is 
> > lower in the densest parts of the negative (about 0.3 log density) 
> > than if you use the regular sheet feed. This effect was also 
> > confirmed by a user of a 3800. Very strange.
> >
> > Kerik
> > www.kerik.com
> >
> >
> >>> FROM: Diana Bloomfield
> >>> DATE: June 14, 2011 5:48:00 AM PDT
> >>> TO: alt-photo-process-list at lists.altphotolist.org [2]
> >>> SUBJECT: [ALT-PHOTO] EPSON PRINTER 3880
> >>> REPLY-TO: The alternative photographic processes mailing list
> >>
> >>> Hi all,
> >>>
> >>> I've had an Epson 3800 printer for several years now-- love it,
> >>> never had a
> >>> problem with it-- until now. So I'm thinking of upgrading to the
> >>> 3880, but
> >>> I remember someone here (Chris?) having trouble with their 3880,
> >>> specifically in making digital negatives. Is that correct, or did I
> >>> dream
> >>> that? I'm assuming that the 3880 is comparable (better than?) to
> >>> the 3800,
> >>> especially when making negatives. Any advice here? Is there another
> >>> printer that would be better? I'm not interested in going larger
> >>> than the
> >>> 17" carriage.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks.
> >>>
> >>> Diana
> > _______________________________________________
> > Alt-photo-process-list | http://altphotolist.org/listinfo
> 
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